Kiddy Winks Pre-School

Water travelling through pipes, magnetic construction and story sacks to take home give Kiddy Winks Pre-School a practical, play-led character in its June 2023 account. Based at Sneinton Dale Community Centre in Nottingham, it combines hands-on exploration with attention to communication and independence.

Ofsted rated the pre-school Good on 26 June 2023. Children attending then were aged two to four. That dated picture is useful for understanding the provision, while keeping its inspection-era activities separate from today's arrangements.

In June 2023, children experimented with water using large syringes, pipes and trays. Staff talked through their discoveries and encouraged new ideas, giving problem-solving a concrete purpose. Magnetic blocks, chalk and play dough also helped children develop the hand movements needed for later writing; children who were ready practised their names.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the June 2023 examples show that learning taking place through play, conversation and everyday tasks: cutting fruit introduced quantities and measurement, while football gave children opportunities to take turns and encourage each other.

Children had space to move and choose activities in June 2023. Adult-led group activities engaged them successfully, but staff sometimes missed children losing interest during independent play. The improvement priority was to notice this sooner and respond, so those children could return to purposeful activity.

At its June 2023 inspection, Ofsted found effective safeguarding, secure relationships with key people and good support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including prompt outside help and teaching adapted to their preferred learning spaces.

In June 2023, staff narrated play and used simple signs to support children learning English as an additional language. Referrals addressed emerging communication difficulties. These were practical ways to help children understand and participate.

Daily feedback connected families with their children's experiences in June 2023, and borrowed story sacks extended learning at home. Staff also helped children resolve disagreements calmly. Regular supervision meetings addressed staff training needs and suitability.

Children brought packed lunches in June 2023; opening packages and clearing away gave them opportunities to practise independence. Staff checked food allergies and discussed healthy choices during meals.

The address is Sneinton Dale Community Centre, 312 Sneinton Dale, Nottingham, NG3 7DN.

In June 2023, the pre-school operated on weekdays during school terms and offered a lunch club. It also provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. These are dated attendance and funding arrangements, rather than a statement of the current offer.

• Independent play. The June 2023 improvement priority concerned children losing engagement outside group activities. During a visit, ask how staff now recognise this and help children rejoin purposeful play.
• Term-time attendance. The June 2023 pattern followed school terms and included a lunch club. Ask which current attendance arrangements would fit your working week and holiday needs.

Kiddy Winks suits families drawn to practical exploration, language development and learning carried into the home. Its June 2023 picture is strongest in the everyday details: water experiments, story sacks and support for independence. Families seeking term-time provision have a useful starting point, with independent-play engagement the clearest issue to explore.